The koala is truly a unique animal that is beloved and recognized the
world over. He is representative of the Land Down Under, the
continent and country of Australia.

Young children will have fun making an easy and fun craft of a koala almost entirely made with heart shapes (except the
eyes) and during the process many skills can be addressed. Other printable support materials and links to related
activities are provided. Let's get started.

The craft is appropriate for a St. Valentine's Day, Australia
Day (January 26) or an Exotic Animals Theme.

Activity > Koala Hearts Head Craft

Large piecessuitable for older
toddlers to age 3.5 (5 pieces - Note: cut eyes
together as one piece)

Tell the children they are going to have fun with activities
related to a wonderful and fun animal, the koala!

Review your options for printing the craft version of your choice
as well assembly options that best meet your needs.
Before assembly conduct some of the learning activities suggested
below:

Printing and assembly options for the craft:

Option 1: Print craft color template of your
choice help to cut out (children under 4), conduct learning activities below and
assemble. Encourage older children to cut out their own
templates as much as possible.
Option 2: Print black and white template.
Children can color, paint or decorate first, cut out and proceed
as above.
Option 3: For large groups or to recycle left over
materials.
*Print directly on gray paper or a fun color for a holiday - pink for
St. Valentine's.

*Print black amd white template on card stock and use as a master
template. Trace the patterns directly on construction paper,
left-over paper, or fun foam to obtain pieces needed.

Other decorations and ideas for the craft option:
1. Replace eyes template with large plastic wiggly eyes instead of
the eyes template.

2. Tape a ribbon, string or a piece of magnet to the back to use as decoration
or ornament.

3. Puppet: Glue the craft to a small standard lunch paper bag or to
a craft stick for an instant puppet. Decorate the paper bag with
additional hearts, buttons, etc.

4. Attach the finished craft to a handprint wreath with the
colors of the Australian flag.

Activities #2:Learning Activities to conduct before craft
assembly:
Choose those activities you feel are appropriate on the ages of children.
Shapes & Colors Activity:

1. Ask children to identify the shapes and colors on the
template if using the color template. Ask the children to
identify the colors they've used to color/decorate the template.

Numbers/Early-Math Activities:
To conduct these activities pieces should be decorated and cut out.

1. Sorting & Sizing: Have the children sort the
hearts by size - smallest to largest.

2. Counting: Count how many of each size there are and
how many in total to assemble the craft. You may want to write numbers on the blank side to acquaint
the children with printed numbers. In this activity you may want
to also count the eyes.

Proceed with craft assembly. Show the small image
provided in the template to help the children see how the finished
craft looks and to aid them in positioning the pieces. After
completing the craft the children can hold their finished craft while
conducting some of the activities below.